London’s Cycle Superhighway to be extended

Bus stop bypasses for cyclists and new facilities to help them get ahead of other traffic at junctions will be delivered as part of an extension to Barclays Cycle Superhighway 2 (CS2).

The extension of CS2 from Bow Roundabout to Stratford Town Centre will start this month. It will contribute towards Transport for London’s (TfL) ongoing work to make cycling safer and more accessible to all, helping to double the number of people who cycle in London every day during the next 10 years.

More than 94% of respondents to a recent consultation showed support for the scheme.

Construction of the extended CS2 will see around 3km of brand new cycle lanes, separated from traffic, delivered along Stratford High Street by autumn 2013.

A number of bus stop bypasses will be introduced along the route that will help to provide additional safety for cyclists at bus stops.

Following comments received through the consultation TfL has modified the cycle bus stop bypass designs to provide further improvements, in particular to manage the interaction between cyclists and pedestrians.

These changes include adding additional road markings and signage.

A new fully accessible crossing point will also help reduce cyclist speed and signs and on-board and bus-stop messaging will remind bus passengers about the cycle bus stop bypass.

Other improvements being delivered as part of this scheme include:

Dedicated facilities at junctions to help cyclists get ahead of traffic

Improved road surfaces and less street clutter to make cycling more comfortable

New road markings and signs showing journey times and links to other cycle routes

TfL will also write to the Department for Transport (DfT) to ask for permission to change the red signal on the cycle specific signal to include a red cycle logo, following independent research at Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

This will allow the cycle-specific traffic signals to be more clearly defined, helping to reduce possible confusion at the junction.

Subject to DfT approval, it is hoped that this upgrade to the early start system can be delivered later this year.

Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said: “This new extension of Barclays Cycle Superhighway 2 will see a range of new and more innovative cycle safety provisions delivered to east London.

“By extending the route to Stratford, cyclists heading to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will have more accessible, safer routes, reflecting our ongoing commitment to deliver safer streets for all.”